traceyc

I just realized this is in the band to sleeve forum. So I guess you already found that! :-) sorry my phone doesn't always tell me the forum of the post.

You could try a strawberry Protein Drink maybe to help with the strawberry taste craving or I think there is a strawberry-kiwi crystal light. It won't help with missing the bubbly, but could help with the cravings to get a similar flavor.

I have really been going back and forth as whether to post here or not. I guess I am sort of a "forum person" in my hobbies and areas of interest, but I have to be honest, I have avoided posting on this site or even looking at it for a couple of reasons. I found this site only a few days before my surgery but when I found it I found more negativity and frightened people then I found inspiration. Actually, I have gone here and gotten the (bleep) scared out of me by a few posters, every time I see their posts I get knots in my stomach. The main poster that does that to me has a screen name that starts with the letter "i". Everybody is terrified of leaks and all the negatives of this surgery and I just haven't been able to relate to many of the topics. Below I will share some of the basics of my journey so far.
First off, I am a 35 year old male who is 6 feet 3 inches tall. I wasn't fat my whole life, I actually weighed 218 when I was 19 years old. That was pretty close to a "perfect" weight for me. I got into a business where the guys I worked with partied, ate, and drank to excess. Over the years I ballooned to 445 lbs which is where I have been for the past 2-3 years. In 2010 I was considering the lap band but chickened out. I was back on in 2011 but chickened out again. In 2012 I HAD to make a decision because I was put on Metformin for borderline diabetes and Lisinopril for borderline blood pressure as well. That was it. I started again with the nutritionist appointments and made an appt. to see my surgeon who is located downtown Chicago a few miles from my house. My first appt. with him was in early October 2012 and he suggested a VSG instead of the lap band because of the large amount of weight I wanted to lose. I left thinking about it and did the rest of my pre op requirements such as upper GI, psyche, EKG, etc. I saw my surgeon again on November 14th, 2012 and we decided on the VSG (which I really didn't know a lot about). We set surgery for December 21st, 2012.
Because I am a big fella, my surgeon put me on a 28 day pre op liquid only diet (to shrink my liver and loosen my skin) which I started on November 23rd, 2012 (the day after Thanksgiving). The first few days were tough but I have very strong will power and stuck to it, following the requirements to the letter. I didn't cheat even once. Again, not even once. After about 12 days it was smooth sailing and I just plugged away and kept up the exercise plan that I had been doing for over a year which was just walking 1.5 miles, three times per week at my local YMCA. I didn't weigh myself even once the entire plan and weighed myself the morning of surgery. To my astonishment I lost a staggering 49 lbs!!!!I I couldn't even believe it, to be honest with you I began to sob like a little girl! I went from 445 to 396. I was just so shocked. My surgeon told me that I broke his practice record which was previously 45 lbs for a pre op diet. Again, I LOST 49 LBS IN 28 DAYS!!!
On the morning of December 21st, 2012 I was ready for surgery at a major hospital downtown Chicago. I arrived, valet parked, checked in, and was laying on the table prepped for surgery within 1 hour just waiting for the anesthesiologist. I was in surgery about an hour and a half later and the surgery took 2 1/2 hours. I am going to cut the details of my hospital stay down so readers aren't sitting here all day reading. Any questions just ask me. I wanted to leave the hospital the next evening but my surgeon said that he wouldn't allow me to break two records and that I should stay another night. Quick recap, I was checked into my room after surgery at 6pm Friday night and was discharged from the hospital at 11am Sunday morning, less then 48 hours after entering my room.
Upon arriving home I checked my weight, expecting to have lost a few lbs, and actually gained back 2 lbs due to all the fluids that were pumped into me. I was back up to 398. My recovery went ok I think, I was in a lot of pain along my largest incision which is about 3+ inches wide. I was on Tramadol which sucks. It took me 9 days to finish the 25 pills that I was prescribed since I was skipping doses. I was home on Sunday morning and by Wednesday morning I was off to the YMCA where I walked only one lap around the track. I limped around and talked to my friends there before going home. I was back at the YMCA on Friday and actually walked 5 laps (a half mile). I finally weighed myself on Friday, one week after surgery, and I was down from 398 to 391. I weighed myself again on Sunday afternoon and I lost another 4 lbs from Friday to Sunday, 9 lbs in 9 days, ending up at 387 lbs, 58 lbs down in 38 days.
So that's basically that. It's been over 10 days now since surgery and I am feeling like a million bucks. Here are the "scary" parts. I am using the term scary because after reading this site I would have thought I was going to die from this surgery. I HAVE NOT been nauseous even for one second since surgery. I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOT thrown up, or even gagged for that matter, not even once. I AM ABLE to drink 60ozs of Fluid per day. I just started puree on Saturday, 8 days out, and it's been perfect. I had 4 ozs of low fat cottage cheese (which I LOVE) today as well as only one Protein Shake, a bowl of Tomato Soup, and plenty of Water. I AM NOT hungry, EVER. I just eat to live, that's it. Today I feel the best that I have felt since surgery. Every day gets better. My goal is to lose 220 lbs, 100 in three months from the start of my pre op diet on November 23rd. I WILL do it.
I know I left out a bunch so fire away (or ask any questions that you want).

These were taken 4 months Post Op, I started my journey in May @ 670, lost 20 pounds before surgery, and on July 2nd, I was 650. Today, I'm 535. Which means I've lost 135 pounds since Memorial day -- not too shabby!

LOVE that dress Angela. You look great!

How are the Feb 2012 sleevers doing now at 10 months out? I have been in a major stall, but I can't exercise because of an unrelated issue. One of the reasons I got the surgery was because I couldn't really exercise anymore and was gaining weight so fast so I knew I would be a slow loser. I haven't gained so I am happy for now. I am a size 12 to 14 depending on the brand and in large tops. This is down from tight 22 and XXXL shirts. Going to try to get more active so I can at least get to onederland by the end of the year. I wanted to be at goal by my one year, but not sure that will happen.

I love the Cream of Wheat Healthy Grain since it has extra Protein. I make it with milk and love it plain (I know I am a minority). I like the idea of adding the vanilla Protein Powder, might try that.

The questions are pretty basic. I had an interview which I think just basically analyzed that I knew what I was getting into and didn't have any major issues. Just relax and be honest. Then I had a huge multiple choice test with some really bizarre questions like which magazine is most appealing. Not sure what that was judging lol.

The questions are pretty basic. I had an interview which I think just basically analyzed that I knew what I was getting into and didn't have any major issues. Just relax and be honest. Then I had a huge multiple choice test with some really bizarre questions like which magazine is most appealing. Not sure what that was judging lol.

Why do we (including myself) beat ourselves up when we don't lose weight for a couple of weeks? Now that I look back, I realize that my body needed to stay at one weight (sometimes fluctuating up a 1-2 lb) so that we lose in inches. Now that is the best part of the journey! Losing inches! Please work on those old thoughts that sneak back in your head and focus on today by eating healthy nutritious foods that will also contribute to shedding those pesky lbs. Hide your scale, sit back and enjoy the journey to your your skinniness! It will happen sooner than you think... Trust me, it will happen...... Have a beautiful day.

Surgery 4-24-12 starting weight 375
Today 10-28-12 weight 245

I have been trying to change the way I think about buffets. My family loves buffets and I don't want to miss out on hanging out with them because of my eating restrictions. For me I am paying for the company and the experience. I try to not think that I am wasting money because I don't get my money's worth at the buffet anymore. I just think about how much I ate way way more than my money's worth prior to surgery. It all has to balance out right? lol
I have been to several and just eat really slow and take a small bite of everything I want. It is nice to have the variety of food even if you can only have one bite.

Finally brave enough to post a before and update pic. Still have a ways to go, but have made great progress!
Before is October 2010 so about 2 years ago, close to my highest weight. The afters are from this past weekend.

Finally brave enough to post a before and update pic. Still have a ways to go, but have made great progress!
Before is October 2010 so about 2 years ago, close to my highest weight. The afters are from this past weekend.

Christina Aguilera is one that comes to mind at this moment because my husband and I were sitting in bed drinking our morning coffee. The Celebrity Gossip section comes on and they show a clip of C.A. walking down the street with her entourage. Well, my husband gives out a "grunt" in a good way, meaning he thinks she's hot. I kind of laugh a little bit, and smile. I'm not skinny and really I don't want to be. He says WOW!! She thick, like my Wife.. I laugh again.
Then the News comments on how awful she is because she's "Let herself go" and she is "Fat". I'm not kidding, they really used those terms. I was aghast. CHRISTINA AGUILERA IS NOT FAT!!!
I was FAT! I weighed 330+ Lbs. THAT'S fat. That said, I don't even like the term "Fat" anyway, but that's my problem, no one else's.
I just think the mainstream media needs to stop putting it in our heads what is considered Fat and not Fat. And this calling anyone who wears a Size 8 or a 10 Plus Sized? Really?? It's sickening in my opinion.
Okay, rant over.

I haven't been gaining a lot of chest muscles but I have the hardest time finding bras now. Nothing seems to fit right. If I get a band that isn't loose then it squishes all my extra skin and makes weird skin bulges under my arms. Now that you said that, mine are not really making it as close together anymore. lol A custom bra would be amazing! I don't mind them getting smaller as long as I can get them to stay above my waist!

I haven't been gaining a lot of chest muscles but I have the hardest time finding bras now. Nothing seems to fit right. If I get a band that isn't loose then it squishes all my extra skin and makes weird skin bulges under my arms. Now that you said that, mine are not really making it as close together anymore. lol A custom bra would be amazing! I don't mind them getting smaller as long as I can get them to stay above my waist!

I haven't been gaining a lot of chest muscles but I have the hardest time finding bras now. Nothing seems to fit right. If I get a band that isn't loose then it squishes all my extra skin and makes weird skin bulges under my arms. Now that you said that, mine are not really making it as close together anymore. lol A custom bra would be amazing! I don't mind them getting smaller as long as I can get them to stay above my waist!

What a great feeling! Congrats on your weight loss I primarily shopped at Lane Bryant before surgery and I swear I am having withdrawals. When I realized I could no longer fit into their smallest size, I had a panic attack. I hadn't shopped for non plus size clothes is such a long time I was lost. I love shopping for clothes now!

Great job! Not dorky, that is huge accomplishment.

(W)onederland!!!!
Sorry, I know it's dorky but I'm so stoked. It's been slow going and seeing this number has revived my patience.
Onward and upward.

I would call, to be safe. They will probably tell you to wait until Thursday, but better to be safe. My large incision still hurt 3 weeks out, but it was getting better everyday and Tylenol was enough to make it feel better. If it is getting worse, I would call for sure.

I have been using liquid Allegra for kids. Works great! I used 24 hour allegra prior to surgery but those pills are way big. The liquid is 12 hour.

I had severe reflux for years. I was taking 2 prevacids a day and still had issues. My hiatal hernia was apparently very bad once they got in there, but they fixed it. i have had no issues with reflux since my surgery. I don't even take a PPI anymore. I would do the surgery all over again just to cure my reflux issues! My doctor did warn me that some people's reflux get worse once they have the sleeve. Gastric bypass will cure reflux but I was not a candidate for it because of one of my medications. So I don't think you will not be able to do the sleeve because of the reflux/GERD but just be prepared for continued reflux issues after.